Chapter 7
The Woman In The Green Room
Alessandro's grandmother, Teresa, lived in a small apartment above the old Rizzano bakery. She had stopped attending family dinners after Sofia's funeral, saying she'd grown too tired for men who discussed loyalty with their mouths full.
When Alessandro arrived, she opened the door wearing slippers and a furious expression.
“You took your time,” she said.
“Did Sofia come to you the night she died?”
Teresa sat heavily. “She called. She said money was disappearing from Harbor House. She had documents. I told her not to drive in that storm.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I did. You shouted that I was blaming your men while you were burying your wife. Then Enzo told me to leave you alone.”
The truth stung because he remembered it. He had mistaken grief for permission to stop listening.
Teresa went to the pantry and brought back a tin marked FLOUR. Inside was a handwritten note from Sofia: If anything happens, protect the trust for Livia. Ask why North Harbor keeps appearing on the invoices.
The name matched Bianca's paperwork.
“She worried someone would come after the little one,” Teresa said. “I thought the danger was over after the funeral.”
Alessandro asked why she had never visited the mansion. Teresa showed him a printed letter bearing his signature, forbidding contact with Livia until further notice.
“I never sent this.”
“I know that now.” Her eyes filled. “But a child can grow up while people argue about what a letter means.”
Alessandro called Rosalie. “Keep Livia with you. No visitors.”
May you like
Rosalie answered in a whisper. “Someone just brought a suitcase for her. The tag says Geneva.”
